CF Community Blog

For many years, cystic fibrosis took a toll on my mental health — long before I was diagnosed. But over time, I began to find meaning in small moments, slowly rebuilding after breaking down. It’s been a journey of not just surviving, but learning how to truly live, one step at a time.

I’ve struggled with my mental health for as long as I can remember, but being diagnosed with bipolar disorder the summer after starting Trikafta made me question how the medication may have affected me — and left me wishing I could pinpoint a single cause for what I was experiencing.

My son was diagnosed with CF in 1965 and bravely defied the odds, living 28 cherished years. Then, decades later, I was stunned to receive a CF diagnosis of my own.

Trikafta has transformed my life in ways I never thought possible. But with that came a sharp awareness of those still waiting for a treatment that works for them. That’s why I’m deeply committed to the fight for a cure — because everyone with CF deserves the same chance at a fuller, healthier life.

Going to college while living with cystic fibrosis carries its unique challenges. One of these is learning to be vulnerable about CF with others. But as I learned to be open, I discovered that CF did not build up walls to community — it opened doors. 

A recent hospitalization reminded me that my strength to fight cystic fibrosis is deeply rooted in my Filipino heritage and the unwavering support of my family.